What line to use for trolling for walleyes?

Asked by: Patrick Walsh

monofilament line10 to 14 pound test monofilament line is the ideal choice. Lines of this pound test rating are more than strong enough to handle even big walleye, yet thin enough to enable crankbaits and other popular trolling lures to reach substantial depths.Apr 12, 2015

What pound test line should I use for walleye?

The best fishing line for walleye would be an 8-12 pound test fluorocarbon due to its thin diameter, difficulty to visually be seen underwater, and shock absorption ability. Fluorocarbon also naturally sinks making it a great walleye line for most situations.

What kind of line do you use for walleye?

When spinning or jigging for walleye, your best choice of line is a 12-25lb braid. For trolling and slip bobber rigs, using a 6-14lb monofilament mainline is recommended.

What line should I use for trolling?

Monofilament is definitely your best bet for trolling. In many cases you can get away with 20-30Lb monofilament with 20-30Lb class gear. This should cover you for many fish such as mahi, sailfish, small tuna, and wahoo.

What size line should I use for walleye?

With that being said, I like to use 8 lb. or 10 lb. test monofilament for my leader line. I like to use 3 to 4-foot leaders with slow death rigs, so I want to keep it off the bottom as much as possible. As I stated earlier, the best walleye fishing line will always be up for debate amongst fishermen.

Should I use a leader when fishing for walleye?

For walleye per se, you do not need to use a steel leader at all, as they won’t be able to bite through your mainline. However, if the water you are fishing in contains pike or muskies, you can use a 10-15lb fluorocarbon leader instead of steel, in order to prevent bite-offs.

Can walleye see braided line?

Braided line is visible to walleye and is best used for moving baits especially with a fluorocarbon leader. You would never want to fish braid on finesse baits like jigging minnows. Crankbaits and trolling are ideal applications for braid.

How do you rig a troll for walleye?

Walleye rigs for trolling



The lindy rig is the best choice for presenting your bait within a few inches of the bottom, while the bottom bouncer allows you to present it about a foot above the bottom. The 3 way rig allows you to present the bait even higher, up to 4 feet above the bottom.

How do you rig a line for walleye?

And I like to put it down about halfway. Down and then I push the jig head all the way up tight. Against that grub. So that's what it will look like once I've got it rigged properly.

How long should my fluorocarbon leader be for walleye?

A 3-foot section of fluorocarbon leader will boost your confidence. And no leader works better for slip-bobber fishing than one made of fluorocarbon.

What is the best lure to catch walleye?

If live bait is not readily available or you’re set on targeting trophies, then lures are the way to go. These are some of the most historically popular lures: Crankbait, Grubs, Paddle Tails, and Ring Worms. The best walleye lure of all time, grubs on a jig, are the most popular alternative to live bait.

What is monofilament fishing line good for?

In general, mono lines are good for when you need a lot of abrasion resistance, stretch or elasticity in the set-up, wherever you fish. Anglers fishing light lines for lots of species use mono main lines – it’s cheap and easy to handle for beginners, too.

What is fluorocarbon line?

Fluoro-coated line is a copolymer line with a fluorocarbon outer coating that offers low visibility and easier casting but has less sensitivity and abrasion resistance.

Should I use monofilament or fluorocarbon?

Over the long term, fluorocarbon is extremely resistant to the elements as well, unlike monofilament. Overtime, U.V. rays, rain and humidity, and extreme temperatures (both hot and cold) can cause monofilament to break down and lose strength. Fluorocarbon is much more resistant to these conditions over the long term.

What are the disadvantages of fluorocarbon fishing line?

The drawbacks of fluorocarbon can be summed up in a single word: inflexible. This is essentially a hard line which is what makes it water and abrasion resistant.

Should I use mono or fluorocarbon leader?

Fluoro has greater density, making it harder, stiffer and more abrasion resistant. With these three characteristics, you’d be sold on fluorocarbon any day of the week as they all contribute to the overall strength of the leader. Mono is less dense, absorbs water and is prone to abrasion damage.

Can you use fluorocarbon as a main line?

Fluorocarbon can be used as a mainline, provided you invest in a high-quality fishing line. Using a high-end fluoro line as a mainline offers many benefits such as excellent casting distance, abrasion resistance and is virtually invisible underwater. Fluorocarbon lines are fantastic lines in their own right.

What weight leader line should I use?

What Weight of Leader Line to use? First and foremost, the rule is to use a leader line weight less than (weaker) the mainline. For example, if your using a 15# monofilament mainline, you’ll likely need a <= 12# leaderline.

Why do I need a fluorocarbon leader?

Water. And deteriorate in strength but fluorocarbon you know it's chemical resistant it's water resistant. Nothing really penetrates. It so it holds its properties first for almost you know forever.

Can you use regular line as a leader?

You can use a regular fishing line as a leader line. Just make sure the fishing line you are using will serve your purpose based on the type of fishing you are using.

Can I use regular fluorocarbon as a leader?

Still, the truth is that you can absolutely use regular fluorocarbon lines as leader material.

Is fluorocarbon leader different from fluorocarbon line?

What are the differences between Seaguar fluorocarbon Leaders and Seaguar fluorocarbon Lines? Strength – While both are strong and will withstand the lb test listed, leader is stronger over shorter lengths and are not designed to be a long, main line product.

What is the best knot for fluorocarbon leader?

So, what is the best knot for fluorocarbon? Sunline recommends using the Tornado HH Knot. We recommend this knot for fluorocarbon because the knot strength of the Tornado HH knot is nearly 100 % of straight strength. Meaning the knot has the same tensile strength as the line.